Mental health and pregnancy, please help!

[Saloire]

I've just found out I'm pregnant with baby number 2. I had the most awful PND with my daughter last time,followed by a subsequent breakdown, and I've never properly healed since, even though DD is now 5. I had finally convinced myself to start on medication soon, but am now thinking not, as I'm scared of harming the baby. I'm not sleeping well at all, and I'm worried I've made a huge mistake! I want the best for everyone, but am so scared that my rashness will destroy me and my family.

Hi Saloire,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Do you have medical supervision at the moment? Depending on your past experience, your GP may be able to help or to refer you to a perinatal psychiatrist who could talk you through the pros and cons of medication during pregnancy. A GP is a starting point but a GP is a generalist and does not always know all the details. In the end the choice is yours, but there are risks both to taking medication during pregnancy and to untreated anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy so it is important that you are well informed when you make your decisions.

Thanks for your response. Yes I'm lucky enough to be supported by the community mental health team. I haven't met up with a psychiatrist in person, but I will chat to the psychologist about it at my next appointment. I know she has direct contact with a number of psychiatrists, but am not sure weather she is linked up with the perinatal psychiatric team. I think my main worry was how I'm going to juggle my insomnia with a new baby. I really struggle in the winter with exhaustion because of stacked up sleeplessnights. I was partway through sorting this, and had decided to try an SSRI starting November. Now though, I'm not so sure, as I really don't want the baby to be affected by it. Will have to chat to the professionals like you said. Thanks again,
Sal

Ah, I didn't realise you are already under CMHT. Yes, see if they are able to refer you to the perinatal psychiatric team or at least to liaise with them about your concerns.

I vaguely remember reading somewhere that mothers with previous experience of MH problems can do better in subsequent pregnancies because they are more aware of the symptoms and also more self-aware. It sounds as if you could be in this camp.

Good luck!

saloire congratulations! I had severe PND with DS2 and then took meds prophylactically(sp?) on recommendation from psychiatrist so avoided ending up in such a mess with DD3. When I admitted to having PND with DS2, a friend said that she'd had prenatal depression, and had to take AD's whilst pregnant. Baby was fine (and is now 10 years old).

There are studies that show that the benefits of AD's for depressed mothers outweigh the possible risks to the baby both in pregnancy and afterwards. They have to tell you the slim chance risks by law, however, it's hard for them to list all the consequences of NOT taking them. Consequences not just for the baby, also other child, yourself, relationships etc etc. They would only suggest taking them in pregnancy if they really felt that you and the baby needed them. They will only suggest the AD's that they believe are safest to take in pregnancy. Talk to the MH team about your concerns. Not being able to sleep is not going to do you/baby any favours